Les Clos to close; Petit Marlowe en route

The former Les Clos space will be filled by Petit Marlowe. Photo: John Storey / Special to The Chronicle.

Big Night Restaurant Group is expanding again, this time with SoMa project called Petit Marlowe.

The 50-seat bistro will replace Mark Bright’s Les Clos at 234 Townsend St., only a short distance from its sister restaurant Marlowe.

Bright, who is also the wine director and partner at Saison, opened Les Clos in 2014 as an homage to French wine and dining, but more in the realm of small cafes. Bright is expected to stay on as wine advisor for the new project.

Earlier this year, restaurateurs Anna Weinberg and James Nicholasopened Leo’s Oyster Bar in the Financial District, to add to their collection of Marlowe, Park Tavern and the Cavalier. Petit Malowe is billed as a cozy, French neighborhood bar, with a marble bar and shelves of chinoiserie, ceramics and vintage silver pieces. The menu will feature a raw bar in addition to small plates like cheeses, charcuterie, salads, eggs, steak tartare, and dips.